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Thread: Cruise control actuator FIXED!

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Cruise control actuator FIXED!

    Does your cruise control turn on (green light) but not engage?? Or does it engage for a few seconds and then turn off or accelerate for no reason and not let the green light come back on until you restart the car?

    Mine did all of these things over time and finally I tackled the problem. A long time ago I saw a post somewhere about the actuator so I started there.

    It was indeed a mechanical problem. A 25 cent plastic gear piece that killed the whole thing. A few broken teeth prevents the gears from meshing so it can't hold the throttle cable position.

    Time, 30-60 min.

    Remove the engine cover to access throttle cables.

    Remove the right throttle cable clip by squeezing the clip together and push through the metal plate, then slide out the cable end to let it slacken. Use the adjustment screw on the cable to loosen the cable to the slackest position. This will allow maximum adjustment to tighten after you reconnect because the cable will be a tad shorter due to what you are about to do.



    Now go to the cruise actuator



    squeeze the clip holding the cable jacket to the unit and slide back until you can access the cable. You will see the other end you just unhooked begin to slacken. Once you can get to the cable, slide the end out of the guide and set aside. Remove the few nuts holding the unit to the mount bracket with a socket. Remove wiring harness.



    After removal, you will need a SMALL torx set. I already had a small electronics driver set from a PC store or Radio Shack. I think it is a t9 bit it says.



    On the underside of the unit unscrew the several torx screws and pry apart gently with a small blade. Take apart with the shallow side of the cover UP. CAREFULLY pull the electronic "thing" out. It will swing out like a hinge with the wires holding it in. BE CAREFUL to notice how it fits with the small black sprocket and the metal pin down the center. If you drop it, the metal pin goes with the slot side down.



    You will see the culprit. There were a couple broken teeth at the initial position of the large gear. You may find or hear them rattling in the unit. Now, the goal is to reset the initial position of the large gear where there are teeth. It is spring loaded so it is tricky. Here you will see the opriginal stop position.



    So I figures I would make something to insert in between the current stop against the metal bracket and the gear to make it stop a couple teeth sooner. I had a rubber stopper laying around so I carved a block from that and decided to glue it in place. You will need to move the spring catch GENTLY out of the way. I curled it tighter 1/2 turn and hooked on bottom end of housing. This also makes it smaller and easier to get around.



    I used RTV but you can decide what material and adhesive you have to use. Maybe pvc and super glue?

    I used a toothpick to place the block in the gap with adhesive and now you will see the teeth moved so that the black drive gear will have teeth to engage.




    And the wheel moves this way so after engaged, there will be room to advance. How far it will take to go all the way around, I don't know, but at highway speed and rpms, I'm guessing there will be enough room. If you turn the wheel and see how the cable moves you will get the idea. It doesn't take much movement on the throttle plates to get decent rpms up to hwy cruise level.



    Now you want to position the black drive gear in it's hole with the metal pin inside. Then you want to swing the electronic module back over and squeeze it back into place. The tolerance is small. Note the 4 metal corners that fit snuggly into the seating circles on BOTH sides of the plastic covers. Don't forget to put the spring back in the original position.



    After you think it is seated solidly, make sure this switch plate moves freely to the right to solidly engage the drive wheel against your fresh teeth of the large gear when activated.




    Now put the cover back on. If it does not close tightly on it's own, you probably did not seat the electronic module and drive gear properly. Put it all back together. Be gentle if your adhesive is not dry and maybe wait a bit to try it to make sure.

    LAST step. You may need to adjust the tightness of the cable with the screw adjustment at the throttle end to make it snug again. Button it up and try it!
    1998 (9/97 production date) 540i 6 Speed Sport / black on black / shadow trim / debadged / black-out grill / Carbon fiber roundels / 80w Yellow Fogs / 2.81 non- lsd diff. / 17" BBS Sport Style 19 wheels/ 245 all around tires / modified CDV / Stage I Dinan software / 5w30 synthetic/ 244k miles and counting

    E65 2007 Alpina B7: Black on Black, Supercharged autobahn eater, 500hp/515trq, 245/295 tires, 141k miles with major systems rebuilt/replaced!

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    this is neat... ever since i got my LSD my cruise kicks out from time to time...

    if i get an M5 actuater will that take care for my problem?

    FS:NEW_BF_Goodrich_245/35/17

  3. #3
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    Awsome DIY. Thanks for sharing.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by racerx0911 View Post
    this is neat... ever since i got my LSD my cruise kicks out from time to time...

    if i get an M5 actuater will that take care for my problem?
    Sorry I have no Idea there
    1998 (9/97 production date) 540i 6 Speed Sport / black on black / shadow trim / debadged / black-out grill / Carbon fiber roundels / 80w Yellow Fogs / 2.81 non- lsd diff. / 17" BBS Sport Style 19 wheels/ 245 all around tires / modified CDV / Stage I Dinan software / 5w30 synthetic/ 244k miles and counting

    E65 2007 Alpina B7: Black on Black, Supercharged autobahn eater, 500hp/515trq, 245/295 tires, 141k miles with major systems rebuilt/replaced!

  5. #5
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    Great write-up. I will be doing this today..

    Thanks..

  6. #6
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    RePost Pics

    Montana Bob!
    Please!! RePost Pics! Iam going to be working on this prject and need those photos!! Thank you so much for your time and understanding!

  7. #7
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    I second that request for pics. I'm also curious if the M5 actuator is any different from the 540i. Any news there?

    My wagon with a 6-speed (3.15 diff) in it has cc which shuts off over bumps, as many others who've changed their 540i6 diff to 3.15 do.

  8. #8
    Skwisgaar's Avatar
    Skwisgaar is offline No longer with us ... RIP
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    Quote Originally Posted by John M Fuller View Post
    Montana Bob!
    Please!! RePost Pics! Iam going to be working on this prject and need those photos!! Thank you so much for your time and understanding!
    Quote Originally Posted by thxalot View Post
    I second that request for pics. I'm also curious if the M5 actuator is any different from the 540i. Any news there?

    My wagon with a 6-speed (3.15 diff) in it has cc which shuts off over bumps, as many others who've changed their 540i6 diff to 3.15 do.

    Bump for pics.

  9. #9
    Skwisgaar's Avatar
    Skwisgaar is offline No longer with us ... RIP
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    Figured I'd bump this since the pics are back up and few others wanted them, too. Thanks Rob! That really is a great writeup!

  10. #10
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    I think mine is having this problem, but I see no cruise control actuator any where close to where the pics show it should be. Maybe that is why my cruise control does not work. Mine is a 99 540i/6. Did they move the actuator in 99?

  11. #11
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    wont this just mess up again? since the gear will keep turning until it hits the missing teeth once it makes another rotation?

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by first540i View Post
    wont this just mess up again? since the gear will keep turning until it hits the missing teeth once it makes another rotation?
    I've PMed Rob about this. He hasn't posted since 4/2011. We'll see if he is still out there.

  13. #13
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    Where can I buy the gears, please?

  14. #14
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    Bump

    Can you just remove this? Mine doesn't work anyways and is making a noise. I popped the hood with the car on, just started it up while the cruise control is not in use , and I can hear and feel a buzzing sound inside the actuator. Whats goin on?

    Update: Bought a cruise control actuator in the classifieds here. $81 shipped!
    Last edited by E39 Sean 540ia; 11-02-2012 at 11:33 PM.

  15. #15
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    Thanks again Photobucket for ruining the internet!
    1998 540A M62 Black/Black Style 37's Dynavin N6 (SOLD)

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